JOAN JOHNSTON
to be published by Atria Books on March 25, 2003
With over 10 million copies of her novels in print and five New York Times
bestsellers – including SISTERS FOUND (#9) and THE LONER (#5) in 2002 – Joan
Johnston has become one of the most popular romance novelists in the world today.
Johnston has captivated legions of readers with her sprawling, sensuous novels set
in Texas, particularly her bestselling series featuring the two opposing dynasties of Bitter
Creek, Texas – the powerful Blackthornes and the struggling Creeds.
Now in her highly-anticipated hardcover debut, with THE PRICE (an Atria Books
Hardcover; publication Date: March 25, 2003; ISBN: 0-7434-5432-4; Price: $23.00),
Johnston tells a timely, impassioned story that explores the trade-offs people make
between work and family as they pursue professional success, and poses the question of
what is truly important in life.
THE PRICE features Luke Creed, who appeared in Johnston’s earlier New York
Times bestseller, THE LONER. He is a young man who has turned his back on his
family’s ranch to pursue his fortune as an attorney at Houston’s leading high-powered
law firm, DeWitt & Blackthorne. Relentless in his quest to make partner – which would
give him the financial security that has eluded the Creeds for generations – Luke has put
his personal life on hold while working nights, weekends and holidays.
As a result, he’s earned a reputation as one of the best litigators in the state,
although it has cost him his marriage and left little time to spend with his two daughters
who now live with his ex-wife and her husband in Houston.
In the last lap before the management committee decides which of its many
associates will gain a coveted spot in its partnership ranks, Luke is handed what seems
like a routine assignment: to negotiate a quick settlement to a wrongful death suit against
a pharmaceutical client’s miracle drug. Luke is surprised, however, to find himself
squared off against Amy Hazeltine Nash, the high school sweetheart he has not seen in
more than ten years.
Now a single mother, Amy works for a small Houston law firm and has become a
passionate advocate for her bereaved client. She’s shocked that the once-rebellious Luke
is now a member of the Establishment, representing corporate interests.
After discovering that his own daughter is using the drug that may have killed at
least five others, Luke risks both his career and his life by mounting a probing